CO2 uptake by a soil microcosm

Kris M. Hart, Seth F. Oppenheimer, Brian W. Moran, Christopher C.R. Allen, Vassilis Kouloumbos, Andre J. Simpson, Leonid A. Kulakov, Leon Barron, Brian P. Kelleher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sequestration of CO2 via biological sinks is a matter of great scientific importance due to the potential lowering of atmospheric CO2. In this study, a custom built incubation chamber was used to cultivate a soil microbial community to instigate chemoautotrophy of a temperate soil. Real-time atmospheric CO2 concentrations were monitored and estimations of total CO2 uptake were made. After careful background flux corrections, 4.52 ± 0.05 g CO2 kg-1 dry soil was sequestered from the chamber atmosphere over 40 h. Using isotopically labelled 13CO2 and GCMS-IRMS, labelled fatty acids were identified after only a short incubation, hence confirming CO2 sequestration for soil. The results of this in vivo study provide the ground work for future studies intending to mimic the in situ environment by providing a reliable method for investigating CO2 uptake by soil microorganisms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)615-624
Number of pages10
JournalSoil Biology and Biochemistry
Volume57
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CO enrichment
  • Carbon uptake
  • Lipids
  • Soil microorganisms
  • Soil organic matter

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Soil Science

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